Saturday, December 4, 2010

20 Ways to Get Followers on Twitter

Twitter is a really powerful tool for online social networking, promoting your online work and getting to know people in the web world around you. To maximize your use of Twitter, you want to gain followers on the site. The more people that you have following you there, the more likely it is that they will see what you’re doing and be interested in your work around the web. There are many different things that you can do to increase the number of people who follow you on Twitter. Here’s a look at the twenty things that you should do first to get more Twitter followers.

1. Use Twitter’s tools for finding and adding your existing contacts.
If you follow them, they’ll likely follow you. Don’t stop there, however. Follow up with an email  to each of those people letting them know why you really hope that they’ll follow you on Twitter. This follow-through increases the number of followers that you’ll get.
2. Make an announcement on your other social networking sites that you’d like to be followed on Twitter.
Let your Facebook and MySpace friends know where they can find you to follow you on Twitter. Don’t just make this announcement once either; update your Facebook status with this info every two or three weeks to keep getting people’s attention back to your Twitter. You can also post to Facebook from Twitter and it will show up on Facebook that you did that so people will know that you’re using Twitter.
3. Add your Twitter information to your email signature.
Every time that you email anyone, they’ll see that they can follow you on Twitter.
4. Blog about your use of Twitter.
Mention regularly in your blog or on your website that you are a Twitter user and be sure to link to your Twitter contact information.
5. Add the Twitter widget to your website.
In addition to mentioning your Twitter use yourself, you can actually show others what you’re Twittering by adding the Twitter widget to your site or blog. This encourages readers to check out your activities on Twitter and therefore to follow you.

6. List yourself in Twitter directories.
Directories like JustTweetIt and WeFollow are great places to provide others with information about who you are and how to follow you on Twitter.
7. Improve your page.
You can customize Twitter with a better background, avatar and bio info. The better your page looks, the more likely it is that people who see that page will want to follow you.
8. Be active on the site.
The best way to get followers is to follow other people and then respond regularly to the things that they post. The more active that you are on Twitter, the more people are going to want to follow you. You can also schedule your tweets when you can’t be active.
9. Be interesting on the site.
Don’t just be active without saying anything. Post things that are actually interesting so that people will be interested by you.
10. Offer to guest post on the sites of big Twitter users.
Find Twitter users who have a lot of followers. Check out their blogs. Offer to guest post on the blog in exchange for promotion of the post on Twitter. This increases attention to you on Twitter and creates more followers.
20 Ways to Get Followers on Twitter
11. Write articles around the web and promote them on Twitter.
There are many sites that you can write articles on (Your blog being one of them) so write a few about Twitter and link to your profile. (Here’s my Twitter information!)
12. Participate in forums and blog comments about Twitter.
The more that you’re talking about Twitter, the more that you’re going to get attention from other people online who are using Twitter and who may want to follow you on the site.
13. Request support from your Twitter followers.
Once you’ve established a bit of a following, Tweet that you’re looking for more followers and would love people to let their Twitter followers know where to find you. Some just might help you out.
14. Create some sort of contest related to Twitter.
Make up your own creative contest on your website or Facebook page that ultimately leads to benefits to someone else for supporting you on Twitter. For example, you might giveaway something to the friend who refers the most people to follow you on Twitter.
15. Make a Twitter Landing Page.
This is a tip from Problogger that basically says to replace your website home page with a Twitter landing page which informs people about your use of Twitter so that they can follow you. Then they can check out your website.
20 Ways to Get Followers on Twitter
16. Add your Twitter URL to your business cards.
Make sure all printed promotional materials that you have include a link to your Twitter profile.
17. Follow people often.
Follow new people every single day. They may follow you back. Follow everyone who follows you. Their followers may follow you back.
18. Join Twitter Groups.
There are online groups that are all about Twitter and if you join them then you’ll meet people who use the site and who want to friend other users on the site.
19. Go to TweetUps.
These are in-person meetups of Twitter users that are springing up all over the country. Meet people in person, put a face to the name and then you can follow each other on Twitter with some real impact.
20. Get creative.
The main thing is to do all that you can to keep thinking of new ways to drive traffic to your Twitter account so that you gain followers. The more creative you get, the more likely it is that you’ll see success on the site.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows 7 Super Fast


This is the 3rd tutorial of our "Master Tutorial" series. We have already posted 2 other tutorials for Windows XP and Windows Vista in past and now its turn of Windows 7.
Although Windows 7 is already very fast and reliable but this tutorial will help you in getting the max performance out of your system.
So without wasting any time, here we start our tutorial:
1. Registry Tweaks:
Following topic contains a few registry tweaks to optimize your system performance and add a few useful extras:
You just need to DOWNLOAD the ZIP file, extract it and run the file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it. Restart your system to take affect.
2. Right-click on Computer icon on Desktop and select Properties (or press WIN + Pause/Breakkeys). Now click on Advanced system settings link in left side pane (You can open it directly by givingsysdm.cpl command in RUN or start menu search box). Now click on Settings button in Performancesection:
It'll open another window. Disable all unnecessary options in Visual Effects tab, you can leave following options enabled according to your requirements:
  • Enable Aero Peek (If you want to use Aero Peek feature)
  • Enable desktop composition (If you want to use Windows Aero theme)
  • Enable transparent glass (If you want to use transparency in Windows)
  • Show thumbnails instead of icons (If you want to show thumbnails in Explorer)
  • Show window contents while dragging (If you want windows to show contents while moving them)
  • Smooth edges of screen fonts (If you want to show smooth fonts)
  • Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop (If you want to show shadows under desktop icon labels)
  • Use visual styles on windows and buttons (If you want to use Windows Aero or Basic theme)
3. Open Windows Explorer and go to "Organize -> Folder and Search Options" and click on "View" tab.
Now disable following options:
  • Display file size information in folder tips
  • Hide extensions for known file types
  • Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
  • Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items
4. Right-click on Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage (You can also open it directly by givingservices.msc command in RUN or start menu search box).
Now go to Services & Applications -> Services. Here you can set a few unnecessary services to Manual, so that these services don't start automatically with Windows and you can get a faster startup.
Visit following tutorial to know which services can be set to MANUAL to increase system performance:
5. Type msconfig in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter. Now go to Startup tab and disable unwanted startup entries. You can disable your graphics card's driver utility, Sound Card utility, etc to speed up the system startup and to increase system performance.
6. Open Sound applet in Control Panel (or type mmsys.cpl in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter). Now go to Sounds tab and select No Sounds from Sound Scheme section. You can keep some of your favorite sounds enabled but make sure to set Exit Windows, Windows Log off, Windows Logon and Start Navigation to (None).
Also disable "Play Windows Startup sound" option to disable the sound clip which is played at login screen.
7. Also don't forget to:
  • Defrag the hard disk regularly
  • Install only necessary software
  • Use the latest device drivers
  • Keep your Windows up-to-date
After following all the above mentioned points, you'll definitely notice major improvements in your Windows 7 performance.

Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows Vista Super Fast

So you are using Windows Vista and feel that its slower than Windows XP? Then you have come to the right place.

Following tutorial will help you in tweaking your Windows Vista to the max and you'll feel a significant improvement in your system performance. So without wasting any time lets start:

1. Following is a registry file containing a few registry modifications, which are completely safe and can increase the performance of Windows Vista. Just download the attached ZIP file, extract it and then run the file:

Tweak Windows Vista (CLICK HERE)

Restore Default Settings (Use this file if you want to restore default Windows settings)

2. Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Properties (or press key + key), click on Advanced system settings link in left side pane (You can also open it by typing sysdm.cpl in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter). Now click on Settings button inPerformance section:

Now disable all unnecessary options in Visual Effects tab, you can remain following options enabled according to your requirements:

  • Enable desktop composition (If you want to use Windows Aero theme)
  • Enable transparent glass (If you want to use transparency in Windows)
  • Show preview and filters in folder (If you use Details Pane in Explorer)
  • Show thumbnails instead of icons (If you want to show thumbnails in Explorer)
  • Show window contents while dragging (If you want windows to show content while moving them)
  • Smooth edges of screen fonts (If you want to show smooth fonts)
  • Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop (If you want to show shadows under desktop icon labels)
  • Use visual styles on windows and buttons (If you want to use Windows Aero or Basic theme.)

3. Open Folder Options and click on View tab:

Now disable following options:

  • Display file size information in folder tips.
  • Display simple folder view in Navigation pane.
  • Hide extensions for known file types.
  • Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
  • Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items.

Other options don't affect the system performance. You can enable/disable them according to your requirements.

4. Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage (You can also open it by typing services.msc in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter).

Now goto Services &Applications -> Services. Here you can set a few unnecessary services to Manual, which will not start with windows and will decrease the boot time and will increase system performance.

Please follow the following tutorial to know about which services can be safely set to MANUAL:

Windows Vista Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL

5. Type msconfig in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter. Now goto Startup tab and deselect the unnecessary entries, which you don't want to start automatically with Windows, e.g. you can disable VGA driver utility, Sound Card utility, etc to speed up the startup time and to increase system performance.

You can also disable these items using Windows Defender. Open Windows Defender and click on Toolsand then click on "Software Explorer".

6. Open Sound in Control Panel (or type mmsys.cpl in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter), goto Sounds tab and select No Sounds in Sound Scheme section. Or you can remain some of your favorite sounds but set Exit Windows, Windows Logoff, Windows Logon and Start Navigation to(None).

7. After following all above mentioned points, you'll see a big improvement in your Windows Vista performance. If you want to tweak more, then you can use 3rd party tools which are listed here:

Windows Vista Tweaking Software List

8. At last I'll advise to defrag the HDD regularly, install only necessary software , use the latest drivers and keep your Windows updated.

Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows XP Super Fast

This tutorial is meant for increasing the performance of Windows XP, either it can be a fresh installation or an older windows.

1.) Following is a registry file containing a few registry modifications, which are completely safe and can increase the performance of Windows. Just download the attached ZIP file, extract it and then run the file:

Tweak Windows XP(click here)

Restore Default Settings (Use this file if you want to restore default Windows settings)

2.) Right-click on Desktop and select Properties, Now in the new window goto Appearance tab and click on Effects button. Now in the new opened window uncheck the following options:

a.) Use the following transition effect for menus & tooltips.
b.) Show shadows under menus.

3.) Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Properties (or press key + key), now goto Advanced tab in new window and click on Settings button inPerformance section.

Now disable all unnecessary options in Visual Effects tab, you can remain following options enabled according to your requirements:

a.) Show window contents while dragging.
b.) Smooth edges of screen fonts.
c.) Use common tasks in folders (If you use the left side pane in My computer)
d.) Use drop shadows on icon labels on the desktop. (to make the desktop icons label transparent.)
e.) Use visual styles on windows and buttons. (If you use XP themes.)

4.) Open Tools -> Folder Options and click on View tab:

Now uncheck following options:

a.) Automatically search for network folders & printers.
b.) Display file size information in folder tips.
c.) Display simple folder view in Explorer's Folders list.
d.) Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
e.) Show pop-up description for folder and desktop icons.
f.) Use simple file sharing.

Other options don't affect the system performance. You can enable/disable them according to your requirements.

5.) Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage (You can also open it by typingservices.msc in RUN and press Enter). Now goto Services & Applications -> Services. Here you can set a few unnecessary services to Manual, which will not start with windows and will decrease the boot time and will increase system performance. Please follow the following tutorial to know about which services can be safely set to MANUAL:

Windows XP Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL

6.) Type msconfig in RUN and press Enter. Now goto Startup tab and deselect the unnecessary entries, which you don't want to start automatically with Windows, e.g. you can disable VGA driver utility,Sound Card utility, etc to speed up the startup time and to increase system performance.

7.) Open Sound & Audio Devices in Control Panel (or type mmsys.cpl in RUN), goto Sounds tab and select No Sounds in Sound Scheme section. Or you can remain some of your favorite sounds but setExit Windows, Start Windows, Windows Logoff, Windows Logon to (None).

8.) For more options/tips-n-tricks, you can use TweakUI, Tuneup Utilities 2006 and gpedit.msc(Windows XP Professional built-in tool).

How to Reset / Remove / Bypass a BIOS or CMOS Password?


DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for experienced users. It is not intended for basic users, hackers, or computer thieves. Please do not try any of following procedures if you are not familiar with computer hardware. We'll not be responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including personal injury, loss of data or hardware damage. So use it at your own risk.



BIOS passwords are used to add some extra security to computers. You can either set a password to prevent access to BIOS settings or to prevent PC from booting.

But sometimes this extra security might become a pain when you forget the BIOS password or someone changes your system BIOS password intentionally.

But there is no need to worry. There are many known ways to reset / remove / bypass the password:

  • By removing the CMOS battery
  • By using the motherboard jumper
  • By using MS DOS command
  • By using software
  • By using Backdoor BIOS passwordNow I'll try to explain each method one by one:
  • A. By Removing the CMOS Battery:

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/CMOS_Battery.jpg

    Almost all motherboards use a small coin sized CMOS battery to store all BIOS settings along with the password. To reset the password, unplug the PC, open the cabinet and remove the CMOS battery for approx. 15-30 minutes and then put it back. It'll reset all BIOS settings as well as the password and you'll need to re-enter all settings.

    If it fails, then try to remove the battery for at least one hour.

    B. By Using the Motherboard Jumper:

    Almost all motherboards contain a jumper that can clear all CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the motherboard brand. You should read your motherboard manual to check its location. If you don't have the manual then look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery. Most of the manufacturer label the jumper as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, etc.

    When you find the jumper, look carefully. There will be 3 pins and the jumper will be joining the center pin to either left or right pin. What you need to do, is remove the jumper and join the center pin to the opposite pin. e.g. if the jumper joins center pin to left pin, then remove it and join center pin to right pin. Now wait for a few seconds and then again remove the jumper and join the center pin to left pin.

    Make sure to turn the PC off before opening the cabinet and resetting the jumper.

    C. By Using MS DOS Command:

    This method works only if you have access to the system when its turned on because this method requires MS DOS. Open Command Prompt from Programs menu and provide following commands one bye one:

    debug
    o 70 2E
    o 71 FF
    quit

    NOTE: The first character in the above commands is "O" and not the number 0.

    After providing the above commands, restart your system and it should reset the CMOS Settings along with the BIOS password.

    If you are curious to know how it works? then let me explain the above commands:

    In this method we are using the Debug tool of MS DOS. The "O" character present at first in these commands, outputs the values to IO ports. The number 70 and 71 are port numbers which are used to access CMOS memory. By providing FF value we are telling CMOS that there is an invalid checksum and it resets the CMOS settings as well as BIOS password.

    D. By Using software :

    There are a few software which can also reset CMOS settings or BIOS password or both within a few clicks. But as stated above you should have access to a system which is turned on and should have access to MS DOS or MS Windows:

    KillCMOS

    !BIOS

    CmosPwd

    E. By Using Backdoor BIOS Password:

    Some BIOS manufacturer put a backdoor password in BIOS which always works irrespective of what password you have set in BIOS. Its a master password which is used for testing and troubleshooting purposes.

    AMI BIOS Passwords:

    A.M.I.
    AAAMMMIII
    AMI?SW
    AMI_SW
    AMI
    BIOS
    CONDO
    HEWITT RAND
    LKWPETER
    MI
    Oder
    PASSWORD

    AWARD BIOS Passwords:

    01322222
    589589
    589721
    595595
    598598
    ALFAROME
    ALLy
    aLLy
    aLLY
    ALLY
    aPAf
    _award
    award
    AWARD_SW
    AWARD?SW
    AWARD SW
    AWARD PW
    AWKWARD
    awkward
    BIOSTAR
    CONCAT
    CONDO
    Condo
    d8on
    djonet
    HLT
    J64
    J256
    J262
    j332
    j322
    KDD
    Lkwpeter
    LKWPETER
    PINT
    pint
    SER
    SKY_FOX
    SYXZ
    syxz
    shift + syxz
    TTPTHA
    ZAAADA
    ZBAAACA
    ZJAAADC

    PHOENIX BIOS Passwords:

    BIOS
    CMOS
    phoenix
    PHOENIX

    Misc Common Passwords:

    ALFAROME
    BIOSTAR
    biostar
    biosstar
    CMOS
    cmos
    LKWPETER
    lkwpeter
    setup
    SETUP
    Syxz
    Wodj

    Other Manufacturer BIOS Passwords:

    Biostar - Biostar
    Compaq - Compaq
    Dell - Dell
    Enox - xo11nE
    Epox - central
    Freetech - Posterie
    IWill - iwill
    Jetway - spooml
    Packard Bell - bell9
    QDI - QDI
    Siemens - SKY_FOX
    TMC - BIGO
    Toshiba - Toshiba
    VOBIS & IBM - merlin

    NOTE: All these passwords are case-sensitive and are changed from time to time by manufacturers.